Man who talked down hospital bomber says would-be attacker asked for a cuddle

"Nathan Newby, who stopped an atrocity through an act of kindness, spoke publicly for the first time about his encounter with Mohammad Farooq before receiving the George Medal for bravery."

"Farooq, a clinical support worker who took a viable pressure cooker bomb into St James's hospital in Leeds intending to kill as many nurses as possible, was jailed for at least 37 years last year."

"Newby, who was a patient at the hospital on the night Farooq planned to carry out the bombing, said he had gone outside for a vape and a bit of fresh air when he saw Farooq."

"The judge who sentenced Farooq, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, said Newby's decency and kindness on 20 January 2023 prevented an atrocity in a maternity wing of a major British hospital."

Nathan Newby, a hospital patient, prevented a bombing in a maternity wing by engaging with Mohammad Farooq, who sought a cuddle before surrendering. Farooq, a clinical support worker, had intended to detonate a pressure cooker bomb to harm nurses. Newby's compassionate approach led to his receiving the George Medal for bravery. Farooq, described as a self-radicalised terrorist, had grievances against the hospital staff. Newby believed Farooq was a nice person facing difficulties, and his actions were pivotal in averting a tragedy.

Read at www.theguardian.com